The ongoing water-sharing dispute between Punjab and Haryana has prompted strong remarks from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which expressed concern over the escalating tensions between the two states.

"We are doing this to our enemy country. Let us not do this within our States," observed Chief Justice Sheel Nagu during a hearing, drawing a stark comparison with India's foreign policy stance towards Pakistan. Justice Nagu made the comments while sitting on a bench with Justice Sumeet Goel.

The case concerns Punjab's refusal to release water to Haryana, with the state assembly recently passing a resolution declaring that not a single drop of its water share will be spared. In a significant development, Punjab has taken control of the Nangal dam and accused the Haryana government of attempting to cut off its water supply following a decision to divert additional water to Haryana. Punjab has also stationed additional police forces at the dam.

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) approached the High Court seeking urgent intervention over Punjab’s alleged takeover of the Nangal dam. Senior advocate Rajesh Garg, representing the BBMB, cautioned the bench, saying, “The reservoir is going to overflow and the downstream states are going to go dry.”

The conflict intensified after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government declined to release more water to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Haryana, arguing that Haryana had already consumed 103% of its allocated quota by March.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has stepped in and urged both states to work with the Centre to resolve the long-standing Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue. A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Augustine George Masih directed both Punjab and Haryana to cooperate with the Union of India in arriving at an amicable solution.